MED57–Pharmaceutical GPO: This Statewide Contract (SWC) establishes a Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) agreement for pharmaceuticals with the vendor Managed Healthcare Associates (MHA). Through this agreement, MHA leverages its network of over 9,000-member healthcare facilities, including hospitals and nursing homes, to provide competitive pricing.

Please find the MED57 Request for Response (RFR) under the MED57 Master Blanket Purchase Order (MBPO).   

Note: This contract may be used to procure the goods or services described in this user guide at any dollar amount. Any limitations, including for procurements involving construction, are outlined in this Contract User Guide.

Benefits and Cost Savings

Statewide contracts are an easy way to obtain benefits for your organization by: 

• Leveraging the Commonwealth’s buying power
• Simplifying the solicitation process
• Providing contracting expertise
• Enhancing vendor relationships through proactive management and oversight
• Offering competitive pricing

• Partner with qualified and experienced vendor (Managed Health Care Associates)
• Accessing a wide range of environmentally preferable products and services.

In addition, Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs) leverage the collective purchasing power of their members to negotiate discounts with manufacturers, distributors, and other vendors of health supplies such as pharmaceuticals, biologics, medical and surgical supplies and equipment and capital equipment available for purchase under HSP43, HSP44 and MED56.

GPOs actively negotiate contracts with manufacturers on behalf of their members and provide their members with access to the purchasing contracts of other GPOs. GPOs support the Commonwealth by leveraging their purchasing power to establish acquisition prices for pharmaceuticals, Vaccines, and Medical Supplies and Equipment purchased under the MED56: Pharmaceutical Prime Vendor & Specialty Pharmaceuticals, HSP43: GPO for Medical Commodities and Equipment, and HSP44: Medical Commodities contracts.

The following is a complete list of the types of organizations generally allowed to use the Operational Service Division’s (OSD's) Statewide Contracts (SWCs). Some SWCs may be open to additional organizations, and some are more restricted in usage.

• Cities, towns, districts, counties, and other political subdivisions
• Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches, including all departments and elected offices therein
• Independent public authorities, commissions, and quasi-public agencies
• Local public libraries, public school districts, and charter schools
• Public hospitals owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• Public institutions of higher education
• Public purchasing cooperatives
• Non-profit, UFR-certified organizations that are doing business with the Commonwealth
• Other states and territories and their cities, towns, districts, counties, other political subdivisions, and public institutions of higher education without prior approval from the State Purchasing Agent 
• Other entities when designated in writing by the State Purchasing Agent
  

The Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) does not directly sell pharmaceuticals, vaccines, medical supplies, or medical equipment. Instead, it connects buyers with approved vendors, manufacturers, and distributors from whom they can purchase products directly and issue purchase orders. Before placing an initial order with a vendor under contracts HSP43, HSP44, or MED56, buyers must contact the GPO to establish a free account. Once the account is established, buyers will have access to GPO-negotiated pricing and the network of approved vendors, manufacturers, and distributors.

The GPO will also provide the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) that are available from the State Office of Pharmacy Services (SOPS). As a Medicare Part D provider, there may be a small processing fee for this service.

COMMBUYS is the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' e-procurement platform, serving as a central marketplace for state agencies and other Eligible Entities to procure goods and services, connecting government buyers and businesses. It aims to streamline the purchasing process, ensuring transparency and efficiency in the procurement process.

For Executive Agencies, COMMBUYS is required. Per 801 CMR 21.00, Executive Agencies must use established Statewide Contracts (SWCs) for the purchase of products and services. To set up a COMMBUYS buyer account or to update an existing agency account, the buyers must contact the COMMBUYS Help Desk at: 888-627-8283 or OSDhelpdesk@mass.gov.

While COMMBUYS use is not mandated for Non-Executive Agencies and other Eligible Entities, it is highly recommended to streamline the procurement process and assist buyers in making informed purchasing choices. Eligible entities should follow their internal guidelines for COMMBUYS use.

Buyers can view contract documents on COMMBUYS without requiring a COMMBUYS account or logging in.  
To find contract documents in COMMBUYS, follow these steps:

1. On the COMMBUYS home page, enter MED57 in the search tool and select Blankets from the drop-down list.
2. Select the Search icon. The related Master Blanket Purchase Orders (MBPOs) information opens in a table format. 
3. To view the associated contract documents, under the Blanket # column, select the applicable Purchase Order (PO) link. MBPO opens for the selected PO and the attachments can be found in the Agency Attachments or Vendor Attachments section. 

If applicable, to find vendor-specific documents, view the links to the individual vendor MBPOs on the Vendor Information page, and follow these steps:

1. On the Vendor Information page, select the applicable Purchase Order (PO) link. The Master Blanket Purchase Order (MBPO) opens for the selected PO.
2. If applicable, on the MBPO, scroll down to the Vendor Attachments section to find the vendor-specific documents.
3. To view, select the desired document link.

Vendors' performance is measured by several factors, including the following:

• Buyers provide actionable feedback on vendors for this contract to optimize performance through the Procurated platform. On the Procurated website, click "Search for a Massachusetts Vendor to Review", then search for the vendor by name and select them from the list. Once you enter your professional email address, you will be forwarded to the review screen.
• Buyers are encouraged to reach out to the Category Manager(s) (Sonia Castro) if vendors are not meeting their contractual obligations and buyers may be surveyed for vendor performance feedback.
• Vendors will be evaluated on their current performance and may be asked to work with the Commonwealth toward improvement.
• Vendors must meet all contractual requirements throughout the life of the contract, including requirements for timely and accurate report submission, to remain in good standing under the contract.
  

For general procurement guidelines and best practices, follow these recommendations:

• Buyers should inform vendors to reference Statewide Contract MED57 on all quotes and invoices.
• No prepayment should be made for products not yet delivered or services not yet rendered.
• No sales tax should be applied to invoices.
• No fees or surcharges (including travel, fuel, delivery) should be applied to invoices.
• Special order fees must be agreed upon by both parties upfront.
• Payments for products or services provided must be paid within 45 days per Massachusetts Bill Payment Policy, or sooner if applying Prompt Payment Discount.
• Buyers are not required to sign additional agreements with vendors that conflict with the Request for Response (RFR) Terms and Conditions. Contact the Category Manager(s) (Sonia Castro) for guidance. 
• Vendors must notify buyers of product substitutions.

When placing orders with a vendor, MOSAIC users must reference the contract ID number MED57* in the Agreement ID field in MOSAIC for encumbrances related to purchases from Statewide Contracts. Please address all inquiries regarding MOSAIC technical support and job aids by emailing the Comptroller Help Desk or by calling 617-973-2468. 

*The asterisk is required when referencing the contract in the Massachusetts Management Accounting Reporting System (MOSAIC).

Truck Safety Standards

The RMV enacted new regulations (540 CMR 4.10 to 4.13) that apply to certain registered motor vehicles, trailers, semi-trailers, and semi-trailer units classified as Class 3 or above by the Federal Highway Administration, with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) rating of 10,001 pounds or more (“Heavy Vehicles”). Heavy Vehicles that are (1) leased or purchased by the Commonwealth on or after January 1, 2023, or (2) operated under contracts with the Commonwealth executed on or after January 1, 2025, that require the use of Heavy Vehicles in writing or by necessary implication, must be equipped with the following truck safety devices:

• Lateral protective devices (LPD), commonly called “Side Guards”
• Convex mirrors
• Crossover mirrors
• Back-up cameras

For snow and ice management and removal services and towing services, these regulations apply to Heavy Vehicles operated under contracts with the Commonwealth that were executed on or after July 1, 2025. Heavy Vehicles affected by the RMV regulations must be certified as compliant with these requirements beginning December 31, 2025 using the RMV portal. Please refer to MassDOT’s Truck Safety Devices for information about updates on truck safety devices, the certification and waiver process, and guidance for vendors. Further guidance will soon be available on the Operational Services Division (OSD) website.

Items that fall Under this Statewide Contract

• Amebicides and trichomonacides and antiprotozoals
• Anthelmintics
• Antibacterials
• Antidepressants
• Antifungal drugs
• Antihistamines or H1 blockers
• Antihyperlipidemic and hypocholesterolemic agents
• Antipsychotics
• Antiseptics
• Antiviral drugs
• Combination antimicrobial / antiviral / antifungal agents
• Combination herbs/alternative therapies
• Combination antihypertensives
• Corticosteroids
• Controlled substance analgesics
• Diagnostic agents and radiopharmaceuticals
• Estrogens and progestins and internal contraceptives
• Fluorine-based medical imaging agents, media, and tracers
• Herbal drugs
• Hypnotics
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs
• Radiopharmaceuticals and contrast media
• Sympathomimetic or adrenergic drugs
• Tranquilizers and antimanic and antianxiety drugs
• Vasodilators

Vendors will be able to provide the requested service(s) throughout the the entire State of Massachusetts as detailed in the Map of Massachusetts Counties in the Massachusetts Maps web page..